The Secret Paths of Qi: A Guide to Yin and Yang Energies

Huang Di asked Qí Bó (岐伯): Where does the 精气 (jīngqì, essential qi) of the human body come from? How do the阴阳之气 (yīnyáng zhī qì, yin and yang energies) intersect? What is营气 (yíng qì)? What is卫气 (wèi qì)? How are营 and卫 generated, and how do they meet? Given the differences in qi between the elderly and the young, and the variations in qi circulation day and night, could you explain their interactions?

Qí Bó answered: The human body’s 精气 comes from food and drink. Once ingested, these substances are processed in the stomach, absorbed by the spleen as精微之气 (jīngwēi zhī qì, subtle essence), then transported upwards to the lungs, nourishing the五脏六腑 (wǔzàng liùfǔ, five viscera and six bowels). The refined part of this essence is called 营 (yíng), and the fierce part is called 卫 (wèi). 营气 circulates within the meridians, while 卫气 moves outside the meridians, each completing fifty cycles before converging. The阴分 (yīn fēn, yin part) and阳分 (yáng fēn, yang part) connect, forming an endless cycle like a ring without a beginning or end. 卫气 cycles through the阴分 twenty-five times and the阳分 twenty-five times, divided between day and night. At noon, when阳气 (yángqì, yang energy) is at its peak, it’s called重阳 (zhòngyáng), and at midnight, when 阴气 (yīnqì, yin energy) is at its peak, it’s called重阴 (zhòngyīn). 太阴 (tàiyīn) governs the body’s interior, and 太阳 (tàiyáng) governs the exterior, with营 and卫 running twenty-five cycles each, divided by day and night. Midnight marks the peak of 阴气, which then gradually declines towards morning, giving way to 阳气. Noon marks the peak of 阳气, which then wanes towards sunset, making way for 阴气. At midnight, 阴 and阳 meet, known as合阴 (hé yīn), when people typically fall asleep. By morning,阴气 declines as阳气 rises, perfectly aligned with the natural rhythm of day and night.

Huang Di: Why do the elderly often find it hard to sleep at night, and why do young people struggle to sleep during the day?

Qí Bó: In young people, vigorous气血 (qì xuè, qi and blood) keep the muscles supple and the气道 (qìdào, qi pathways) clear, ensuring the smooth flow of 营 and卫. This results in alertness by day and sound sleep by night. In the elderly, diminished气血 and withered muscles obstruct the气道. Depleted visceral气 weakens 营气, and the internal assault of 卫气 in 阴 prevents restful sleep at night and energy during the day.

Huang Di: How do营气 and卫气 circulate, and from where do they originate?

Qí Bó: 营气 emerges from the中焦 (zhōngjiāo, middle burner), while 卫气 originates from the下焦 (xiàjiāo, lower burner).

Huang Di: Where does the气 of the三焦 (sānjiāo, triple burner) start?

Qí Bó: The上焦 (shàngjiāo, upper burner) begins at the upper opening of the stomach, the贲门 (bēnmén), and ascends alongside the esophagus to the throat. It permeates the diaphragm and disperses into the chest, horizontally extending to the armpits, following the 手太阴经 (shǒu tàiyīn jīng, Lung Meridian) route, then returning to the 手阳明经 (shǒu yángmíng jīng, Large Intestine Meridian), reaching upwards to the tongue, and descending along the 足阳明胃经 (zú yángmíng wèi jīng, Stomach Meridian). Both 卫气 and 营气 circulate within the 阳分 for twenty-five cycles and within the 阴分 for twenty-five cycles, completing a full day and night cycle, finally converging at the 手太阴肺经 (shǒu tàiyīn fèi jīng, Lung Meridian).

Huang Di: Why does consuming hot food sometimes cause sweating before it’s even digested? Sweat may appear on the face, back, or one side of the body, diverging from the usual卫气 pathways. Why is this?

Qí Bó: This is due to the invasion of风邪 (fēngxié, wind pathogen) on the body’s exterior, causing the pores to open and leak. When 卫气, known for its aggressive and rapid nature, encounters these openings, it diverts from its normal path, leading to excessive sweating, termed as “漏泄” (lòuxiè, leakage).

Huángdì (Yellow Emperor) inquired with Qíbó:
“Let’s dissect the Middle Burner (Zhōngjiāo 中焦) – this vital kitchen of the body. How does it transform grains into liquid gold for our veins?”

Qíbó chuckled:
“Ah, the Middle Energizer! Picture a master chef teaming with the Stomach (Wèi 胃). Its magic trick?
1️⃣ Extract essence like a gold miner sifting nuggets
2️⃣ Steam-distill nutrients into Yíng Qì (营气 Nourishing Qi) – your bloodstream’s VIP cocktail
3️⃣ Express-deliver this crimson elixir via Lung Airlines to every cell

This biological alchemy explains why blood’s called ‘Liquid Spirit’ (Shén Qì 神气) – the ultimate life currency!”

Huángdì pondered:
“If Blood (Xuè 血) and Qì (气) are twins separated at birth, why does losing one mean losing both?”

Qíbó snapped his fingers:
“Brilliant observation! They’re like yin-yang bank accounts:
• Bleed too much? Your sweat reserves get frozen 🥶
• Sweat rivers? Your blood reservoir dries up 🏜️
Moral: Never let your body’s liquidity ratio drop below survival threshold!”

On Lower Burner (Xiàjiāo 下焦):
“Meet your internal plumber! Its daily grind:
🚽 Sort recyclables – send waste to Colon County
💧 Drain excess – pipe fluids to Bladder Reservoir
Pro tip: Alcohol jumps the digestion queue like a nightclub VIP – hence ‘beer before burgers’ bathroom runs!”

Huángdì exclaimed:
“Eureka! The Three Burners are:
☁️ Upper – Mist-maker hydrating organs
♨️ Middle – Fermentation vat brewing nutrients
🌊 Lower – Sewage system flushing toxins
Our body’s ultimate ecosystem!”